The Coaster Critic's Blog

The Coaster Critic's Blog
Popular Posts
    • Afterburn @ Carowinds | Roller Coaster Reviews
    • Thirteen Announced as Alton Towers' 2010 Psychoaster
    • Kentucky Kingdom's Chang Is Being Removed
    • Coolest 2010 Roller Coasters May Not Be in the U.S.
    • Big Bad Wolf: A Legend Reaches Its Expiration Date
    • Superman Ride of Steel Goes Bizarro at Six Flags New England
Featured Video
The Countdown is Over!
Presenting The Roller Coaster Wiki
Roller Coaster Wiki
Subscribe
Want it delivered? Subscribe to the RSS feed and my latest posts immediately.

Subscribe Via Email
Subscribe Via RSS
About
The Coaster Critic's Blog is your source for opinionated roller coaster reviews, theme park reviews and a coaster enthusiast's take on all the latest theme park news. Read more...
Social Sites
Facebook  Flickr  Last.fm  MySpace  Technorati  Twitter  YouTube  
Become a Fan!
The Coaster Critic on Facebook
In the News…
Featured on FOX Charlotte

Quoted by the New York Times



  • Intimidator Construction Photos & Test Run Video

    Written by The Coaster Critic 27 Comments
    Last Updated: February 1, 2010

    I went to Plaza Fiesta with my family about a week ago. It’s an indoor shopping mall with a huge kids play area and arcade. It just so happens to be located across the street from Carowinds. So, while we were there I ran across the street and took a few pictures of Intimidator from a far. These aren’t the greatest ‘construction’ photos, but it’s still a look at the coaster before it’s open.

    Intimidator’s So Tall it Can Be Seen from Another State!
    Okay, so Carowinds actually straddles the North Carolina/South Carolina border. So it’s obvious that you’d be able to see Intimidator from another state, but  you really can see the 232′ tall roller coaster miles from the park. As we headed south towards the park on I-77 we could see that massive red track on the skyline probably about four or five miles away. It may benefit from sitting on a slight hill, but Intimidator is intimidating nonetheless.

    Hyper coasters are nothing new to me or many other hard core coaster enthusiasts, but you forget just how BIG 200-plus feet is until you’re standing in front of it. There’s no terrain or trees hiding it. It’s just right there near the front of the park dwarfing Carowinds’ other rides like Afterburn and Nighthawk. I can’t imagine how tall Kings Dominion’s Intimidator 305 will look like in person.

    There were no trains on the track, but I did spot someone standing on the brake run as we left. Aside from just looking big, it looks like it should offer a ton of airtime like most other B&M hyper coasters. I’m excited to try out the new seats with their staggered design (seen here in the photo gallery). I’d imagine that you feel really ‘out there’ even more than you already do on B&M trains.

    Visit my Facebook Fan Page to see all of the rest of the photos.
    And while you’re there, become a fan. If you already were, you’d have already seen these pics!

    Also, check out the official Intimidator site for better construction pictures, a webcam, wallpapers, and more information. And read my first impressions on the annoucement of Intimidator at Carowinds.

    UPDATE 2/6 – Test run videos are starting to surface. There’s almost no doubt that Intimidator should open with the park on 3/27! Check out this Intimidator Test Run Video:

    What’s Your Take?
    Are you excited about Intimidator at Carowinds? How do you think the test run video looks? Leave a comment below.

    Related Posts with Thumbnails

    Related Posts:

    1. Sky Rocket Construction Photos & Kennywood in the Snow
    2. Kings Dominion’s Intimidator 305 Construction
    3. New Diamondback Test Video & Images

    Advertisement

27 Comments

  1. #1 The Coaster Critic says:
    February 1st, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    Oops. I accidently turned comments off on this post. Please comment away. :)

    Reply
  2. #2 CFC says:
    February 1st, 2010 at 9:20 pm

    Oh, that’s what happened! Everyone makes mistakes. BTW – Nice Picture! Hope I232 is as airtime-filled as say, Apollo’s Chariot!

    With I232 opening, the NASCAR HOF opening this year as well, I bet Charlotte and Concord are going to be PACKED when the Coca-Cola 500 rolls around.

    Reply
    • #3 Quil says:
      February 2nd, 2010 at 6:45 am

      coca-cola 500?

      Reply
      • #4 CFC says:
        February 2nd, 2010 at 8:12 am

        The Coca-Cola 500 is NASCAR’s big race here at Lowes Motor Speedway, here in the Charlotte-Concord area.

        Reply
        • #5 Quil says:
          February 2nd, 2010 at 4:44 pm

          thanks for the info CFC.

          Reply
          • #6 Quil says:
            February 2nd, 2010 at 4:47 pm

            oh, and sorry about the double comment, but when is it. i`m wondering in case if i ever go down during it. the waits would be so darn long!

          • #7 CFC says:
            February 2nd, 2010 at 5:14 pm

            Thank you, and I’m not sure when it is. I was just informing you all about it.

          • #8 Schwarz says:
            February 2nd, 2010 at 5:34 pm

            the coca cola 500 is 5/30/2010 Sunday, 5:45 PM. And I got some pics of Intimidator from the south entrence if you want them. I’m thinkin about puttin them on youtube. My account name is mbs1016 and so far I only have one coaster vid. Feel free to add me if you want!

  3. #9 Prof. BAM says:
    February 2nd, 2010 at 5:35 pm

    Looks sweet. Carowinds is a sweet park but doesn’t really have anything to drool over. This will help the guest count.

    Reply
    • #10 Quil says:
      February 3rd, 2010 at 6:39 am

      no doubt about that.

      Reply
  4. #11 Tom says:
    February 3rd, 2010 at 11:13 pm

    Looks cool. I really need to get to Ohio soon. But this has so much publicity now, when it opens the lines will be AT LEAST 3 hours. Probally more :( . I predict this is going to get rave reviews though. :) . I also need to have a REAL pov on this. :| I’m tired of the animations!!!

    Reply
  5. #12 CFC says:
    February 4th, 2010 at 7:32 pm

    Me too. I’m tired of them and want to see a real video. But they’re still finishing up the details, and can’t test it just yet. We’ll just have to be patient.

    BTW, as a prediction, I think I232 will be fifth or sixth, just a step below Diamondback, as D-Back seems to have a slightly more interesting layout. As for I305, well… I hope it makes the Top 25!

    Reply
    • #13 Quil says:
      February 5th, 2010 at 6:52 am

      i think I305 may be a little bit higher, possibly top 15?

      Reply
      • #14 CFC says:
        February 5th, 2010 at 4:23 pm

        Well… Maybe. I was just putting the shorter drop and smaller track into consideration. Remember, MF barely made the Top 10.

        Reply
  6. #15 CFC says:
    February 4th, 2010 at 7:33 pm

    Sorry for the double comment, but on my previous one I am talking about Mitch Hawker’s Internet Poll.

    Reply
  7. #16 JaMeS says:
    February 4th, 2010 at 8:39 pm

    the coaster made its first test run today!

    Reply
    • #17 The Coaster Critic says:
      February 6th, 2010 at 8:01 am

      Thanks for the heads up JaMeS. A test run video has been added!

      Reply
  8. #18 CFC says:
    February 4th, 2010 at 8:42 pm

    ARE YOU SERIOUS, JAMES?!?!?!?!?!?!

    YAHOO!!!

    Reply
    • #19 Quil says:
      February 5th, 2010 at 6:54 am

      say hello to some new videos!….and an un-delayed opening!

      Reply
    • #20 JaMeS says:
      February 6th, 2010 at 10:15 am

      im serious :)

      Reply
      • #21 Quil says:
        February 6th, 2010 at 12:13 pm

        :) too.

        Reply
  9. #22 CFC says:
    March 8th, 2010 at 6:29 am

    When does Carowinds open? I want to go on the first day it opens, but I don’t know what that day is.

    Reply
    • #23 The Coaster Critic says:
      March 8th, 2010 at 6:58 am

      Carowinds opens Saturday, March 27th from 10 AM to 8 PM. Here’s the full schedule.

      Reply
      • #24 Quil says:
        March 8th, 2010 at 8:01 am

        Let`s start guesseing wait times on the first day. I`ll guesse 2hours first day and 4 hours or up the second.

        Reply
  10. #25 CFC says:
    March 8th, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    Carowinds likely won’t be too crowded on Opening Day, but most will be heading for Intimidator, so my guess is 45 minutes to 1 hour.

    Reply
    • #26 Tom says:
      March 8th, 2010 at 7:23 pm

      My guess is 1 hour 45 minutes on opening day, and 3 hours on day 2.

      Reply
      • #27 Quil says:
        March 8th, 2010 at 7:51 pm

        good guesses people, any more guesses?

        Reply

Leave a Comment